Article handling apparatus



July 10, 1945- A. A. KoTTMANN AARTICLE HANDLING APPARATUS 8 sheets-shet 1 Filed June 28, 1941 July 1o, 1945.

vA. A. KOTTMANN ARTICLE HANDLING APPARATUS Filed June 2a, 1941 a sheets-sheet :2

INVENToR ,arthur Kattmanu BY ATToRN Filed Junev 28, 1941 s sheets-sheet 3 1:' H INVENTOR 7 rthurAKottrmann ATTORNEYS vJuly,`10, 1945. A. A. KOTTMANN VARTICLE HANDLING' APPARATUS 8 Sheets-Sheet 4 Filed June 28, 1941 INVENTOR rtrhur. KbttIma/nn ATTORNEYS July 10, 1945 A. -A. KOTTMANN 2,379,911

' ARTICLE HANDLING APPARATUS i 4 Filed' June 28, 1941 8 Sheets-Sheet L5 4.F`1' 7.13 llNvlENToR rthurH.Kottmann ATTORNEYS ARTICLE HANDLING APPARATUS -Filed June 28, 1941 I s sheets-sheet 6 www@ "C e IJ l1 n INVENTOR rthur Kattmann BY QM/awk@ ATTORNEYS 8 Sheets-Sheet 7 and ATToR "lun l n! mvENToR Arthur KoLtm/ann BY A. A. KOTTMANN ARTICLE HANDLING APPARATUS Filed June 28, 1941 -July 1o, 119451.

E 5 l l July 10,1945. A. A. KOTTMANN ARTICLE HANDLING APPARATUS 8 sheets-sheet 8 Filed' June 28, 1941 INVENTOR rth lav- A. Kottmann BY y ATTORNEYS Patented July 10,1945

l APPARATUS Aarthur el. Kottmann, Davenport, Iowa, assigner.

L 5.1 1 ents, to The ttendori Company, a corporation ci Maryland Y Application .lune 28,' itil, Serial No. 400,269

(Ci. ldd-dt) 117 Claims.

This invention relates to article handling apparatus, and more particularly to such apparatus vfor handling bread loaves to be fedl into and through a slicing machine. v

Sliclngr machines for bread loavesand the like have been perfected so that relatively high rates or speeds of slicing can be malntaihedand the slices produced are smooth and uniform and free from waves or similar defects and without crushing of the loaves. In coupling a slicing machine to a wrapping machine for operation as a unit,

the loaf movement through the slicing machine l i must be synchronized with the loaf movement through the wrapping machine. Such an arrangement usually requires a positive feed for individually moving each loaf or article to and through the cutters of the slicingY machine. However, operators oi slicing and wrapping machines prefer to have the bread handling conveyors of the slicing machine so arranged that a number of loaves or articles can be deposited together en masse on the infeed ci' the slicing machine rather than to have the conveyors so arranged that the loaves or articles must be in-` dividually placed in the pockets or ahead of the flights of the infeed conveyor. yThus the preferable type of slicing machine infeed includes an escapement or shuttle combination which is arl ranged to separate the loaves deposited together on the infeed or loading conveyor, so that the loaves so separated are fed by positive acting means one at a time and in a de nite predetermined relation to and through the cutters.` Numerous devices are available for this purpose and the present invention has for one of its particular objects the improvement in shuttle or es- .capement construction for use between the loading or feed conveyor of the slicing machine and theV conveyor or other instrumentality which individually feeds or forwards the loaves to and through the cutters. More specically, the in ventlon aims to provide in bread handling apparatus a combination of loading and forwarding xconveyors, one or both of which may be inclined downwardly so that loaves or articles are moved thereover, at least in part, by gravity. The apparatus also includes a shuttle or carrier `which is so arranged with respect to the loading and for'- chine illustrated in the drawings and embodying the present invention; Included in the improvements are means for adjusting the cyclic position of the shuttle or article shifting carrier with re vflights of the forwarding conveyor; endless vheit means for advancing articles over the loading conveyor and having a drive responsive to the cyclic movement of the carrier or shuttle so that the loading conveyor drive is arrested during each movement of the shuttle or carrier away from the loading conveyor; improved means for support- 'ing guides of an adjustable lwidth flight conveyor that receives sliced `articles from the cutting mechanism, the guides being so arranged that they may be adjusted simultaneously and syn-7 chronously with the apron means of the discharge conveyor; and a casing for .the operating parts oi the apparatus so designed and arranged as to include an apron portion which is disposed in the path 'of articles moving beyond the discharge end of the loa/ding conveyor, thereby serving as a stop for articles received on the 'shuttle or car mer.

A still further object of the invention is to pro vide generally improved bread handling apparatus for use in connection ,with slicing mactrrf which apparatus is relatively simple indesign V section, with parts removed and somewhat die grammatic, of a slicing machinaoi the4 endless band type having bread loaf handling apparatus embodylngthe present invention; l

Fig. 2 is a ioreshortened plan view, partly in section andwith parts removed, showing the endless belt or loading conveyor of the machine illustrated lnFlg.l; f I

Fig. 3 is a sectional detailtaken substantially on the lineJ-Jv of Fig. 2 and enlarged with respectthereto; y f Fig. 4 is a sectional detail .taken 'substantially v ing the relationship of the on the line 4-4 of Fig. 2 and enlarged'with respect thereto;

Fig. 5 is a fragmentary elevational view, partly in section and with parts broken away, showing the shuttle or carrier mechanism of Fig. 1 with with the carrier at its lower limit of movement, the illustration being enlarged with respect to Fig. 1;

, Fig. 6 is auf elevational detail, partly in secl the carrier or shuttle with re ct to the flights of the forwarding conveyor;

Fig. 9 is a horizontal sectional view, with parts removed and with parts broken away, taken substantially on the line 9-9 of Fig. 5 to show the shuttle or carrier;

Fig. 10 is a sectional detail showing the construction of the resilientv lost motion link for the loading conveyor drivemotor;

Fig. 12 is e. fereshortened pian view, with parte "removed and with parts broken away, showing the discharge conveyor of Fig. l on an enlarged scale `with respect thereto;

Fig. 13 is a'sectional detail taken substantially on the line |3-l3 of Fig. 12;

yclic movement ofv l the tops of the advancing articles.

Fig. 14 is a fragmentary side elevational view,

' partly in section and with parts removed, illustrating a modification of `the invention and corresponding toFig. 5; y i

Fig. 15 is a transverse elevational view, partly line indicated at lli-|510! Fig. 16 is a sectional detail 'taken substentiauy on the line I6-I6 of Fig. 14; v

Fig. 17 is' a fragmentary side elevational view, partly in section and with parts removed, illustrating a still further modification of the invention and cbrresponding to Figs. 5 and 14;

Fig. 18 isa transverse vertical sectional view with parts removed taken substantially on the lineI lil-18 of Fig. 17;

Fig. 19 is an elevational detail view of the adjusting mechanism used in the modication of Figs. 1'7-18 for altering the position of the loaf or article stop to'accommodate articles of diierent heights;

Fig. 20 is a foreshortened sectional detail taken substantially on the line 2l-2I of Fig. 19;

21 is a sectional detail taken substantially on the line 2l--2l of Fig. 20 to show the shaft connections for the lostmotion ni the. operates the loaf or article Stop:

Fig. 23 is an elevational detail showing the brake or shock absorber for limiting the downward movement of the loaf or varticle stop; :i3d

Fig. 24 is a sectional detail taken substantia y on the line 24-24 of Fig. 23 and enlarged with respect thereto.

In the illustrated embodiment of the present invention a pair of drums i and 2 are mounted in spaced parallel relation to one another in a suitable supporting structure 3 and have a multiplicity of endless cutter bands 4 trained therearound in side by side crossed relation, all in accordance with well known practice (see copending application, Serial No. 260,046, filed March 6, 1939, now Patent No. 2,316,171, issued April 13, 1943).

An electric motor 5 mounted on the structure 3 and provided with suitable well known conltrols, is connected by a belt or chain 6 to a. pulley l on the drum 2 for driving the latter and the cutters 4. Articles or loaves to be sliced by the bands 4 are placed in a group in side byside relation on a loading conveyor, indicated generally at L. Such loaves or articles are received one at a time by a shuttle or carrier, indicated generally 4at S, and transferred thereby to a forwarding conveyor F. As the loaves or articles are moved into the cutters 4 by the conveyor F, the ends of the articles are engaged by spaced parallel guides 8 carried by brackets 9 on a cross member l0. A suitableholddown plate or member Il,

adjustable by means of rack l2 and pinion I3 having hand crank I4, is providedv to engage Slotted iingers or guides I5 carried by the supporting struc-- ture ofthe holddown il engage the individual runs of the cutters 4 above the slicing zone to space and guide the same. Similar guide fingers I6 engage the individual runsof the cutters 4 below the article path or slicing zone toy space and guide the cutters. By means of a lazy tongs mechanism Il the lingers I6 may be adjusted to vary the spacing between the cutters 4 upon removal of the guide ngers I5 from engagement with the cutter runs, this feature forming the subjectmatter of co-pending application, SerialNo. 260,044, filed March 6, 1939, which became Patent No. 2,316,200 on April 13,

1943. Sliced loaves or articles released from.

the cutters 4 are received by a discharge con-V veyor D which advances the sliced loaves to a wrapping machine or instrumentality shown). P

The loading or rst infeed conveyor L comprises a pair of spaced parallel hollow support members 42li and 2| which may be suitably formed, as by casting, to provide vsubstantially enclosed spaces 22 that house parts of the operating mech- 4anism for the conveyor. At the top of the mathe supporting structure 3 is a cross member or transomy I9, upon which are formed spaced lugs 23 that carry shortV axially aligned bars 24.

members 2l and 2l by pivot Abolts 21;..thus by! turning the elements 26"on the bolts 21 the upper or receiving end'of the loading conveyor L may 4be raised or lowered as desired with respect to the supporting structure I. Bolts 2 8 received in elOngated Slots 29 0f the h0ok elements 2' and threaded into the support members 20 and 2| (not t `cured to the support members 20- and 2 i. Y ends of the apron 3d are disposed elongated rollin the supporting members 2b and 2i.

members 20'and 2| are extensions 30 which threadedly receive adjusting bolts 3| that have bearing engagement with the cross or transom member I9 ofthe supporting structure 3 at por- Y tions thereof below the bars 24, In this manner between the members 20 and 2i and is mounted on cross members 35, the ends of which are se- At the ers 36 and 3l mounted on shafts journaled on or Trained around the rollers 36 and lll is an endless, flexible belt 38 or the like which may be inthe fonn of a. wire mesh strip having its ends suitably secured together. The upper lap of the lbelt 38 is supported on the. apron til so that upon rotation of one of the rollers 35 or 37 the belt is made to 'travel over the apron andcarry articles supported thereon downwardly over the conveyor. The roller 3l at the discharge end of the conveyor is driven as by means of an electric motor d@ suspended from the supporting member 2i. This motor drives a pulley il of a speed reducer-42 which carries a belt d3 trained around a pulley 4t secured on one end of a transverse shaft v45 journaled in or on th'e supporting members 2t and 2 l. A sprocket or pulley t6 on the other end of the shaft d drives a belt or chain il trained around a pulley or sprocket t8 secured` on the shaft of the roller 3l?.

on the carrier and the next article on the loading At the discharge end of the loading conveyor L and beyond the path of the belt 38 is a booster or loaf accelerating roller 5t journaled on I or in the support members' 2a and 2i in paranel re1ation to the roller 3l which drives the endless beit n it. The booster roller 5@ may be formed oi a suitable material, such' as wood, and is preferably roughened or of iluted construction providing longitudinally extending ribs 5i which engage and frictionally grip the bottoms of the loaves to resist slipping and sliding of the loaves on the roller. A shaft 52 on which the roller 50 is rigidly secured has a-pulley 53 secured on one end thereof in the chamber 22 of the support member 2i. A belt 5t connects the pulley '5B to the large diameter sheave of a double pulley 55 journaled on a. stub shaft secured to thevsupport member 2E. The small diameter sheave of the pulley 55 receives a belt 56 that is trained over a relatively large diameter pulley El secured on the end of the4 shaft mounting the roller m7 the latter shaft being driven by the motor te, as previously described.

By the train of belts 5d and 5S and the different diameter pulleys carrying the same, the corrugated or uted booster roller 5@ is made. to rotate much faster than the roller 3l carrying the endless belt of th'e conveyor. For example, the surface or circumferential speed of the booster roller 50 may be two to four-times as great as the surface speed of the endless belt 38. This arrangement promotes acceleration and a, rapid transfer of the endmost article or loaf-from the loading conveyor L onto the carrier, as will later appear, and alsoserves to move the endmost article suiliciently rapidly away from the other or succeeding articles on the loading conveyor to oi the loading conveyor may be journaled in elongated movable bar members A58 which have threaded portions extending through suitable openings in ends of the support members!!! and tl and receive adjusting nuts 59, by means of which the roller 3B can be shifted laterally to regulate the tension on the belt it and to maintain parallelism between the rollers 36 and 3l.

Adjacent the ends of each of the support members ill and 2i and mounted/thereon are upright stanchions or posts Bil which support parallel adjustable slide rods tl mounting guides 62. These guides are disposed in spaced parallel relation above the loaf or articlesupporting surface of the endless belt 38 to engage the ends of :articles placed on the loading conveyor. and direct the movement of the loaves down the conveyor to the discharge end thereof. Wing bolts t3 threaded into the tops of the stanchions tt are provided to tighten the slide rods 8i in adjusted position.

Mounted on the supporting structure 3 adjacent the discharge endv of the. loading conveyor is a supplemental iframe` or housing Gt which' accommodates the shuttle S and the forwarding conveyor F and comprises spaced side members whichmay be formed of steel or iron castings connected by suitable cross members and aprons. The forwarding conveyor comprises spaced endless members or chains t5 disposed in general parallel relation to one another and trained around sprockets lit and tl for the upper laps or runs of the endless members and a pair of sprockets on driven shaft Gt which thereby actuate the endless members 65 in synchronism 'I'he driven Shaft ed and the shafts for the sprockets it@ and tl are journaled in the side frame members of the supplemental frame te. A plurality of equally spaced ilights t@ extend .between and are pivotally connected at their ends to the endlessr` members 65. Suitable tracks or guides for the nights are provided so that the ights travel in upright relation over a downwardly inclined loaf supporting apron 'lll whichis supported between the `side members of the frame G65 and extends between the shafts for the sprockets 66 and 61.

As shown in Figure l, the loading conveyor L is inclined downwardly toward its discharge end so that the movement of loaves or articles therefrom is effected orv facilitated, in part at least, by gravity. The loading conveyor is also disposed above the forwarding conveyor F so that the general direction of movement of articles over the loading conveyor is opposite to the general direc veyor L is disposed above and in spaced relation to the upper or receiving end of the forwarding conveyor L and the forwarding conveyor F, and

above such planes. The member 1I of the carrier may be conveniently made by casting andV is suitably formed with a number of parallel openings or drill holes which receive elongated rods or loaf Asupporting elements 13. The rods 13 extend angularly from the member 1i and turn therewith about the axis of the shaft 12 and provide a tiltableA gridlike planar loaf or article supporting platform which may be moved from a position in alignment with lthe forwarding conveyor, asv

shown in Fig. 5, to a position in alignment with the loading conveyor L, as shown in Fig. 6. To limit the turning movement of the shuttle or carrier S to the arc between the positions shown in Figs. 5 and 6, the member 1i is formed with a projecting ear 14 which swings through an arc and engages adjusting or stop screws 15 threaded through members 16 extending inwardly from one of the side members of the supplemental lframe 64. By screwing the bolts 15 into or out of the members 16, the limits of movement of the carrier or shuttle -may be adjusted to accurately align the bars 13 with the loaf supporting planes of the loading and forwarding conveyors.

To actuate the shuttle or carrier for reciprocav tion or oscillation between the discharge station of the loading conveyor and the receiving station of the forwarding conveyor, a link 18v is pivotally connected to the member 1`| at18 and to a crank 80 by a pin or bolt 8|. The crank 8'0 is keyed to a short shaft journaled in one of the side members tion of the forwarding conveyor.

of the supplemental frame 64.. The shaft 82 is rotated continuously so that the throw of the crank 88 acting through the link 18 oscillates the shuttle or carrier S on the rod 12.

The throw of the crank 88 is sufficient to move the carrier or shuttle overl an arc greater than that permitted by the stop bolts or screws 15, and

to provide for this movement of the crank the link 18 is longitudinally expansible and contractible. One portion 85 of the link 18 is formed with or carries an axial sleeve 83 provided with a journal or bearing 84 which slidingly receives the other portion 86 of the link; Within'the sleeve 83 is a helical compression spring 81 disposed about a reduced diameter end 88 on the link portion 86 and confined between limit washers 88 and 80. The normal positions of the partsof the link 18 are shown in Fig. ,10. During the rotation of the crank 80 the pin 8l thereof moves in a clockwise direction in a path indicated by the broken line circle, and during the movement of the crank pin carrying the link 18 from the broken line position to the full line position of Fig. 10, the ear 14 of the/*carrier or shuttle is against the upper stop screw'15 which'limits the downward movement of the platform bars 13 to hold the latter in alignment with the forwarding conveyor F. Accordingly, the resilient 18 is drawn slightly from the sleeve 83 so that the washer- 80 Nis moved toward the bearing 84.com-

' elongated or stretched, the portion 86 being with- 14 of the carrier is against the lower stop screw- 15, the platform bars 13 of the carrier or shuttle are held in alignment with the discharge end of the loading conveyor and the resilient link- 18 is compressed or shortened during a portion of the '88- being held by an internal spacing sleeve 8|..

By thus providing stops for the shuttle or carrier in combination with a link which is resiliently expansible and contractible, a losil motion travel of the crank is providedvwhile the platform bars 13 are at the discharge station of the loading conveyor and while they are at the receiving sta- Since ,the crank 88 rotates at an approximately uniform speed, thelost motion thereof creates a slight dwell of the carrier at the conveyor stations sufficient to permit movement of an article onto and off the platformbars 18. Furthermore, the resilient character of the link 18 provides a yielding movement of the carrier or shuttle, which reduces .the danger of injury to the operator if his hand or arm should become caught between the carrier bar 13 and'other parts of the mechanism, and also avoids injuryand damage to the mechanism.

On the outside of the supplemental frame' 64, the short shaft 82 has keyedv thereon `a hand wheel 82 and between the hand wheel and the frame 64 is disposed a driven sprocket wheel 83, freely rotatable on the shaft 82 and having a plurality of circumferentially spaced axial sockets 84 that are adapted to receive a retractable pin 95 carried by the hand wheel 82. In this manner, the hand wheel 82 may be locked to the sprocket wheel 83 to rotate with the latter. the position of the hand wheel andthe shaft 82 being rotatably adjustable with respect to the sprocket -wheel 83 by interlocking the pin 85 with f different sockets 84. Sprockets 86 of the sprocket wheel 83 is driven by a chain 81 trained around a sprocket 98 secured on the driven shaft 68, previously mentioned. The sprockets on thev -driven shaft 68 for actuating the chains or endless members 65 of the forwarding conveyor F and the drive chain 81 for the shuttle dr carrier S are so proportioned that the shuttle makes one reciprocation or cyclic movement from the discharge station of the loading conveyor to the receiving station o f the forwarding conveyor and back again during each movement ofthe forwarding conveyor F equal to the spacing between the successive flights thereof. Thus. for each movement of the carrier to transfer one loaf or article A from the loading conveyor to` the forwarding conveyor, the flights of the latterl move a single flight spacing distance soxthat one of the flights 68 is brought into position to advance each article delivered to the forwarding conveyor.

For the purpose of adjusting the apparatus' latter by the shuttle or carrier. The hand wheel 82 affords a convenient device for adjusting the relationship between the movement of the shuttle' or carrier and the flights 88 of the for-- warding conveyor, .since by retractixxgv the pin by means of/aknobJ 88and against the force of a compressionspring the shaft 82 may be rotated to raiseor lower the position of the carrier bars 13 while the flights 69 are station` ary and the pin 95 then Ireinserted in theappropriate socket 94. Y t

The supplemental frame 64 includes an apron |0| extending betweenthe side members of the frame above the path of the carrier bars '|3.` As shown in Fig. 6, the apron |0| is so disposed in an upright-position as to engage the front side of an article or loaf A received on the carrier bars at the discharge station of the forwarding conveyor, thus ,constituting a stationary stop to limit the movement of each article received. While theV shuttle is lowering a loaf to the for.- warding conveyor the loaf slides downwardly over the apron |0| and disengages the latter when the rods 13 slope downwardly toward the forwarding conveyor.

Arms |02 are pivotally mounted on collar bolts |04 supported by the side members of the frame 64 in alignment with one another and below and parallel to the shaft l2 of the carrier.' Between the outer ends of the arms |02 is supported'a loaf intercepting plate or stop |03. This stop is thus mounted to turn on the bolts |04 from a loaf intercepting position, shown in Fig. `5, in which the plate extends above the plane of the article supportingsurface of the loading conveyor to a depressed or retracted position, shown in Fig. 6, wherein the upper edge of the stop is withdrawn below the path of the *articles so as to permit an article to move from the discharge end of the loading conveyor over the stop and onto the carrier bars 13. Extension portions |05 of the arms |02 have connection with helical tension springs |06, adjustably ,anchored or attached by fasteners |01 to theA side member of the frame 64. Thus, the springs |06 normaliy turn or swing the arms '|02 in a clockwise direction about the pivot bolts |04, as

viewed in Fig. 5, to move the plate |03 upwardly to loaf intercepting position, the limit of movement being established by bumpers or lugs |08 formedpr secured on the side members of the frame 64 to engage the extension portions |05 of the arms |02.

Adjacent one end of the carrier member 1| is secured a cam or pusher |09 having a, curved surface which engages a roller` 0 mounted on one of 'the arms |02 of the loaf stop during thev upwardtux'ning or swinging movement of the carrier or shuttle S. The cam |09 is so formed that the roller ||0 is engaged thereby just prior the relatively high speed booster roller 50.

As previously mentioned, the lost motion of lthe crank 80 provided' by the resilient link I8 effects a dwell of the carrier or shuttle at the discharge station of the loading conveyor, affording ample time for the movement of the 'article or loaf A completely onto the 'carrier 70 bars from substantially thebroken line position to the full line position, shown in Fig. 6. When the dwell period of ythe carrier or shuttle S at i the discharge `station terminates, the downward movement ofthe carrier bars 13 is accompanied Hence, as the carrier by simultaneous upward movement of the loaf stop.|03 under the4 iniluenceof the spring or springs |06, the cam |09 being withdrawn from the roller ||0. The relatively high speed of the 5 booster roller 50 moves the leading `loaf from lo viding a separation or space between the leading loaf received by the carrierV bars and the next succeeding loaf on the loading conveyor, into which space or opening thev stop plate |03 1s shifted or moved by the springs^|06 as soon 15 as the carrier bars 13 commence their downward movement.

The time interval during which the stop plate ^|03 is retracted vfor the movement of an article onto the carrier. bars 13 is but a fractional'part 2o of the cycle of the shuttle or carrier S. During the remaining fraction or time interval oi' the cycle of the carrier or shuttle, the sto-p plate |03 engages the leading loaf or article .at the discharge station of the loading conveyor, preventing further movement of the leading loaf and all the succeeding loaves except such as may Occur to bring the succeeding loaves into side by side abuttins' engagement with one another.

For the purpose of stopping the conveyor belt 38 and the lbooster roller 5| during a portion of the time that the carrier bars 13 are withdrawn from the discharge station-of the loading conveyor and the stop plate |03 is in loai': intercepting position, a switch is interposed in the circuit for the conveyor drive motor 40. This switch comprises 'contact screws ||2 and ||3 connected, respectively, to a wire ||`4 leading to a suitable source of power and to a wire ||5 having connection with one side of the motor `40. The other 40 side 0f the motor 40 is connected by a wire ||6 ,f

to the power source. The contacts |z|2 and ||3 may be threaded through a supporting block of insulating material attached to the inside of one of the side members of the frame 64. A con- 4 tact bar or element ||8 of brass or similar material is carried on an arm ||0 oi' insulating material pivoted adjacent the contacts on the inside ofthe side frame at |20.' A helical compression spring |2| `adjustable by@ screw |22 supported at |23, -normally acts on the arm ||9 to hold the contact bar ||8 in spanning and contacting relation across the contact screws ||2 and I3, there-r by eiecting energization of the motor '40.

r As shown in Fig. 5, the .switch mechanism is mounted adjacentthe short shaft 82 on the inside of the supplemental frame 64. A removable `and replaceable cam segment or element |24 in a recessed peripheral portion of a rotatable cam member |25 on the hub of the crank 810 for rota- 00 tion therewith is arranged to engage a cam follower or projection |28 on the insulated arm ||9 to periodically move or pivot the'arm I i9, thereby withdrawing the contact plate or element IIB away from the contacts ||2 and ||3, thus deenergizing the motor 40 and stopping the belt 38 l ing motor 40 runs during that portion Ioffthe a cycle in which the carrier bars 13 are away from the sliced loaves-or articles passing undera plv-- the discharge station'of the loading conveyor and that the loading conveyor motorA 45 is deenergized as the carrier vbars 13 are nearing their upperv limit of travel and before the stop plate |53 has begun to\move downward. Stopping the loading the stop er loaf mtercepting plate m 1s inraised position. Preferably, the cam |24 is so 'arranged conveyor as described removes all loaf pressure j on the stop plate due tothe belt and prevents the loaf rolling tendency that would be caused by the stop plate |03 moving out of the path of a loafpressed against it.

In connection with this feature of the present invention. it is important to note that the angle of downward inclination of the loading conveyor L is less than the "sliding angle; that is, the angle at which loaves on the belt 35 move or slide therever under the influence of gravity alone, toward the discharge end of the conveyor.- The sliding angle is determined bythe coemcient of friction of the belt 33, being less for a .metal or wire mesh belt than for a canvas belt.' Accordingly, although the movement of'loaves over the loading conveyor may be to some extent helped by oted hold-down |32 which engages the tops of the loaves to prevent toppling over of the articles and to hold the slices together.

The discharge conveyorrD comprises supporting side members |33'and |34 disposed in parallell relation to one another and having 'odset end portions or elements |35 and |35, respectively, which are carried by a driven shaft |31 journaled in bearings |33 received in suitable openings formed in stirrup-shaped brackets |39 mounted on the inside of the side frame members of .the supporting structure 3. At an intermediate or central portion of the discharge supported on upright, adjustable height standl ards |40 or, if desired, the discharge. conveyor resting upon the booster roller 53 which begins to' revolve upon re-energization of the motor which occurs under the control of the switch orl contact member ||3 when the convex' faced stop v plate has removed itself from@ the path of the leading loaf. Since thefollowing loaf is traveling at the relatively slow rate of the belt 3B, the stop plate |53 can rise in the space made by the separation between the transferred loaf and the following loaf.

. The circumferential length of the cam |24 de- A.termines the time interval during which the motor 4l is deenerglzed.' As long as the cam fol- A lower |25 isin engagement with cam |24, the

` motor to remain idle for a longer time interval during each cycle of the apparatus, it`has been g found preferable in most instances to make the D may be supported by a wrapping machine (not shown).

Endless side members or chains |43 that ride on supports or ledges |4| of the side members |33 and |34 are trained around sprockets |44 secured on the driven shaft |31 and; disposed.

just inside the frame members |33 and |34. The chains or flexible members |43 are disposed 4in generally parallel relation to one another and along the concave apron |3| engage the underside of curved tracks or guides |42. At the remote end of the discharge conveyor the chainsA are trained around sprockets |45 mounted on shaft means'carried by the `side members |33 and |34. Idler sprockets |45`are also provided for the bottom laps of the endless side chains |43 beneath the'curved apron |3|. Between the side chains |43 at uniformly spaced intervals extend flights I41 which individually engage the rear sides of articles received on the apron |3I to advance such articles away from the cutters and along the lcam |24 relatively short, as shown, so that there is a substantial or prolonge@ period of operation j of conveyor belt 33. By interrupting the movement of the belt for only a very short -period it is practicable to run the belt ata lower speed between the successive dwell periods .than would otherwise be possible and the belt can also close M up anl'spaces between loaves which the operator through the movingfcutters 4, the ends of 'theA -loaves ,or articles being in contact .with and f .guided bythe side members or rails l. Sliced yarticles emerging from the cutters 4 pass over f a supporting cross member |33 allgnedwiththe 4ends of the guide .fingers I5' and move thence lonto the concave 'upper or supporting side of a curved apron |3| of the discharge conveyor D,

-Journaled in the side members of the supporting structure 3. 'I'his shaft may be driven by anyvsuitable means, preferably, however, being Aactuated by an endless member such as a chain or a belt |48 trained over a sprocket 'or the like of the wrapping machine (not shown). By such an arrangement the conveyors L, F and D and the', shuttle S may be actuated in timedrelation v to one another and to the cyclic operation of the wrapping machineto which the apparatus shown herein feeds the sliced articles. The main' drive shaft |43 drives by means of and endless member or belt |5| a jack shaft |55, also jour- -naled betweenthe side members of the supporting structure 3. The Jack shaft |55 has respectively a shaft |54 journaled in the supple? endless belt or chain |52 are supported by one.

of the side members of the supporting structure- 3. The shaft |54 is provided with sprocket means z tioned. of the forwarding conveyor F. The varviously mentioned, of the discharge conveyor D.

Suitable idlers or rotatable members |55 for the that drives an endless member or chain |55 for actuating the driven shatt. A55. previously meniousv .sprockets and endless belts or chains for interconnecting the drives of'the conveyors on the shuttle are so proportioned that for each f'ceivlng the rod. i

movement of the endless chains 65 of the for- Extending as a continuation of the curved or concave apron III, the discharge conveyor D is an adjustable width apron means, indicated generally at |58, to support the articles being advanced over the discharge conveyor. The`.apron means |58-consists of plates or membersdn overlapped relation or slidable relative to one an other; the arrangement being more fully disclosed in my copending application, Serial No. 356,169, filed September l0, 1940, now Patent No. 2,273,472, issued February 17, 1942. Briefly, the adjustable width apron means |58 includes side plates or` aprons carried by rotatable screws |59 journaled in the side members |33; and |34 of the conveyor and having oppositely threaded ends for engagtaining a substantially constant spacing between the guide rails. The rods |66 are connected for synchronous rotation by means of an endless belt or chain |12 trained over sprockets secured on the rods outside ofthe frame |33, one of the rods being provided with a squared end |13 to receive -a crank |14 to rotate the rod. When the rods |66 are rotated in one direction the threaded ing threaded blocks |51- secured -to aprons or plates of the apron means |58, whereby such side apronsor plates can be moved toward and away from one another. The rods |59 are joined to rotate in unison, as by means of sprockets |80 and an endless belt or chain |6| trained over said sprockets. One of the rods |59 is formed with a square end |62 for receiving a crank or a wheel to turn the rod.

A pair of spaced guide rails |63 is supported above the .concave apron |3| and the apron means |58 of the discharge conveyor D by U shaped support members |66 which straddle the upper runs of the endless beltsor chains |43, as

shown in Fig. 13. The ends of `the U shaped supports |84 on opposite sides ofthe discharge` conveyor are directed toward one another, the upper ends having connection with ithe guide rails |63 while the lower ends, which extend beneath the apron means |58 andthe apron |3I, have connection with threaded members |65 threadedly received on the oppositely threaded ends of screws |66 journaled in the frame members |33 and |313. The threaded members |65 are so formed that the U shaped supports |64 are offset from the axis of the rods |85 whereby the U shaped supports |615 may be disposed for movement through suitable openings |61 formed in the frame members |33 and |36 of the discharge conveyor and spaced from the journals for the rods |66. `(lne of the rods |66 is .carried in sleevelike journals l1 l, one of which is threadfmember |33, the other sleevelikedournal being rigidly clamped in a suitable support |66a secured to the fram member itt and slidingly reforaxial or endwise movement therein.' lIll-le movable journal |1| is formed with a lmurled iiange mathe rotation of which eifects longitudinal or axial shifting movement of the journal 4and the shaft |66.' Locking screw or bolt |16 in the journal support |88 is provided to engage the movable journal |1| and to lock the journal'in adjusted position. By this arrangement, of shifting the journals for one of the rods Het, the ends of the guides |63 adjacent the cutters d may be simultaneously moved laterally in the same direction whi-lemain.`

members are drawn together, thereby carrying the guide rails |63 toward one anothen When rotated in reverse direction the rods |56 spread the threaded members |65 beneath the apron of the conveyor. and thereby separate the guide rails |63 to adjust the desirable conveyor for loaves of increased length, it being understood that loaves are advanced sideways over the l conveyor with the loaf ends engaged by the guide rails |63. By the use of the Uv shaped supports |84, the adjusting rods |66 can be much shorter than required for. conventional designs of similar conveyors. Hence, the machine, vwhen the guide rails |63 are drawn to their narrowest `spaco ing; is much narrower and more compact than machines of earlier design.

In Figs. 14 through 16 is illustrated a. modification of the inventiondn which the loaf inter- ,cepting/plate |03, previously described, and which has a' loaf engaging surface the upper portion of which is convex and the lower portion of which is concave, is replaced by a convex stop |16 disposed transversely across the discharge end of the loading "conveyor L and supported bev tween the ends of arms |11, which are mounted for turning movement on pivots |18 secured to the side members of the supplemental frame 6l. The stop |16 having its convex face disposed to engage the leading loaf on the loading conveyor is normally drawn yieldingly downwardly by helical tension springs |19 connected toV the spaced arms |11 and to bosses or fasteners |88 formed on or secured to the inside of the supple- 1 mental frame members. A strip of spring metal |6| is secured to the central portion of the stop |16 and extends upwardly therefrom, having a reverse bend at |82 in which -is received a resilient bumper |63 of rubber or the like held by bolts |86 and engageable with a transverse rod |85 mounted between the side members of the supplemental frame 64. The rod .|85 is straddled by the hooklike end of the strip |8|, thereby limiting the downward movement of the stop |16 to approximately Fig. 14.

`To raise the stop |16 so that'theleading loaf on the discharge conveyor can move onto the carrier bars 13, the member 1| of the carrier or shuttle is formed with an extension arm |86] which moves through an arc during the oscilla-A tion oi the carrier and is provided with a pinY is? received in an elongated slot |88 of a link |69 having connection with the stop |16. While thelink |69 may .have aflxed pivotal connection with the stop |16, it is preferred to provide for link |89. A short bar or pivot pin 19| carried by the lower endI of the link |89 is receivable in any oneof a number of aligned notches'or slots |92 formed in the ,bars' |99, the pinsbeing held in the full line position shown in Y the desired notch by a leaf spring |98 secured to the link |89 and bearing against the back edges of the bars |99.

During lowering of the carrier or shuttle S from the discharge station of the loading conveyor, the stop |16 is lowered under the influence of gravity and the springs |19, the extension arm |86 of the carrier member 1| moving in a counterclockwise direction, as viewed in Fig. 14, with the pin |81 disposed at the upper or extreme end of the link |89. After the stop |16 is lowered to its bottommost position, as determined by engagement of the rod |85 by the rubber bumper |83, the continued pivotal movement of` the extension arm |86 causes the pin' |81 to ride downwardly in the elongated slot |88 of the link |89. Thereafter and when the carrier bars 13 start their upward movement to the discharge station of the loading conveyor 4.to receive the next succeeding loaf, the pin |81 rides upwardly in the 'slot |88 to the end thereof, after which continued upward or clockwise movement of the extension arm |86 raises the stop`|18 so that the next succeeding loaf or article on the load- A ing conveyor may be moved onto the carrier bars 13 by the rapidly rotating booster roller 59 and 'under the influence of pressure of succeeding articles.

Desirably, the lower corner of the stop |16 is recessed as indicated at |94 to receive an elongated roller |95 which rides over the side of the leading loaf on the -loading conveyor, thereby avoiding abrasion of the vloaf and tilting of the loaf on the conveyor.A

To limit the movement of the loaf on the carrier bars or fingers 1.3, an upright stop |98 is secured to the fingers as by a bolt |99 which passes through a suitable plate member under the bars'. forth on the carrier bars 13 to adjust the shuttle for articles of different width and locked in place by the bolt |99. g

For driving the shuttle illustrated in Figs. 14 through 1'6, the drive .chain 91, previously men-y tioned, is trained over a sprocket 299 secured on a stub shaft 29| corresponding to the shaft 82 previously described and journaled in one of the side members of the supplemental frame 64. A crank 292, corresponding to the crank 89 previously mentioned, is secured on the shaft 29| inside the frame and is connected by a pin 293 to an adjustable length link294 which has pivotal ously mentioned. The stop 298 is' carried between the downwardly dependingl ends 2|| of spaced generally parallel L shaped arms 2|2 piv-y oted on bolts 2|3 secured in the side members of the supplemental frame 64. The raising'and lowering of the stop 298 is eected by means of an arm 2|4 mounted to turn on a sleeve or quillk The stop |98 may be moved back and connection by a pin 295 to the-reciprocable or A oscillatable mem-ber 1| of the carrier. The stub shaft A29| is rotated constantly and uniformly by the chain 91'and the throw of the crank 292 reciprocates the shuttle member 1| back and forth on the pivot shaft 12.

The operation of the shuttle or carrier devicesition and is retracted downwardly. The roller |95 is so arranged with respect to the convex or curved face ofthe stop |16 that during the movement of the stop only the roller makes any appreciable contact with the loaf or article.

In Figs. 17 through 24 illustrated a further Y modification of 'the invention which' somewhat resembles that shown in Figs. 14 through 16, and has corresponding parts indicated by the same 2|8 embracing the transverse-shaft`12 on which the carrier member 1| is suspended. As shown in Fig. 18, the carrier member 1| -has hub portions, one of which, indicated at 2|9, is loosely mounted on the sleeve 2|8 and the other of which, indicated at 229, is keyed or pinned at 22| to the shaft 12 so as vto-'oscillate or turn the shaft with the carrier as the latter is reciprocated by the crank 292. The end of, the arm 2|4 is received between and pivotally connected to links 2|5 pivotally connected to a' transverse bar or rod 2|| extending'lbetween midportions of the L shaped arms 2|2.

To vary or alter the upper limit of movement of the stop 298, and to provide for a dwell of the stop across the end of the loading conveyor, the connection of the arm 2|4 to the oscillating or reversely turning shaft 12 includes an adjustable lost motion device which performs the function of the lost motion afforded by the .elongated slot |88 inthe link |89, previously described. The quill 2|8 extends through one side member of thesupplemental frame 64, being journaled for turning movement therein andl relative to the shaft 12. On the outside of the supplemental frame the quill 2|8 has ahand wheel 224 keyed thereon so that the rotative position of the quill may be altered bythe operator upon turning the hand wheel. The shaft 12, which extends'through the hand wheel and beyond the end of the -quill 2|8 outside of the supplemental frame, has al1-ar? 225 keyedor otherwise secured thereon so th t the arm turns or swings with the shaft 12.

lAdjacent the periphery of the hand wheel 224 is a recess 226 which receives asteel ball 221 and' a helical compression spring.228 which presses the ball against the inside surface of the arm 225 adjacent the end of the latter. Preferably;-`

. ya number of apertures or recesses 229 are formed in the arm 225 to engage the steel ball 221, thus constituting a detent arrangement for holding the arm 225 in fixed position relative to the hand wheel 224 for normal operating conditions. The detent ball 221'normally constrains the sleeve 2| 8 to turn or oscillate in unison with the shaft 12, although under severe forces the ball will ride out of the recesses to avoid injury to the mechanism. Hub 239 of the actuating arm 2|4 is mounted. to turn on the sleeve or quill 2|8 and is constrained against axial movement by a collar 23| secured on the shaft 12 and an actuating collar 232 keyed at 233 to the quill 2|8. The hub 239 is formed `with a segmental axial extension or boss 234 which engages one end of the actuat;

ing collar 232, as shown in Fig. 20, while the col` lar 232 is formed with an axial extension or boss 235 which engages the end of the hub 239. l

-Each of the extensions or bosses 234 and 235 is of relatively short circumferential extent, so

that while 'the bosses or extensions provide an interlocking connection between the actuating collar 232 through the arm 225 and the handC wheel 224 may turn the boss 235 through an angie such as indicated by are 215, Fig. 21, whue the arm"2| 4 may be moved by engagement bei tween the bosses 234 and 235 through a lesser arcfrom its lowermost position shown in full lines in Fig. 21 to the broken line position indicated at 216. Thus the shaft 12 and the quill 2i8 move an appreciable amount during the raising and lowering of the carrier bars 13, while the arm 214 remains'in the full line position shown with the stop in loaf intercepting position. Turning the hand wheel 224 relative to the arm 225 so as to move the ball detent 221' into a different recess or socket 229 changes the relative position or the boss 23s of tile actuating collar 202 with respect to the lshaf 12. Moving the hand whee'l 224 clockwise, as iewed in Fig. 19, relative tothe arm 225, adjusts the actuating collar 232 so that the lost motion connection between the lug 235 and the lug 234 of the arm 214 is diminished, and as the carrier bars13 are 26 raised the loaf stop 208 is elevated to a higher position so that higher or taller loaves or articles can be handled by the shuttle. See the corresponding position of the armI 214 indicated at 211, Fig. 21. Conversely, moving the hand wheel 224 counterclockwise, as viewed in Fig. 19, lowers the height t'o which the stop 208 is elevated when a. loaf is to be received by a carrier bar 13. If desired, the arm 225 may .ber inscribed, as shown,

to indicate the detent recesses 229 which should brass, which are secured vby a ,bolt/ 23B to a .boss 45 239 on the inside of one ofthe side members of the supplemental frame 64. The free ends of the J spring strips 231 are disposed in` divergent relation and receive therebetween a wedge-shaped extension 240 formed on one of the pivoted arms 150v 212 that carry the stop 208. As Athe loaf stop moves to article intercepting positionl shown in" Fig. 17, the wedge extension 240 isreceived be- A tween the vspring members 231 that resiliently brake the downward movement of the loaf stop and associated parts. Thereafter, upon continued downward mo/vement of the carrier bars 13 after the article/stop 208 has been arrested in loaf intercepting position by the brake or stop 2.31, vthe extensions or bosses 234 and 235 move 6o away from one another through the lost motion which occurs while the carrier bars 13 move to the receiving end of the forwarding conveyor F to release the article and return toward the discharge station o fthe loading conveyor. carrier bars 13 approach the discharge .station of the loading conveyor, the bosses or extensions 234 and 235 of the lost motion device again come together to effect a driving lconnection between the shaft 12 and the arm 214, raising the loaf 'intercepting stop 20B and withdrawing the extension 240 from between the spring strips 231.A

The article handling apparatus of the present invention thus includes a plurality of conveyors drivingly connected together so as to be actuated 75 carrier during its return to loaf receiving p 1- Asv the from a common rotatable member, and to operate in timed relationship to one another for handling articles, such as bread loaves, in succession. A reciprocable or oscillating shuttle is provided which takes loavesor articles one by one from a discharge end of a downwardly inclined loading conveyor and delivers the articles one by one on the forwarding conveyor so that the apparatus can be regulated to emciently handle articles of different sizes. cepting stops, such as shown in Figs. 14 through. 24, which are Withdrawn upwardly from the leading loaf on the discharge conveyor include means for regulating the height to which they` are withdrawn for the purpose of adjusting the mechanism to articles of diierent height.

The principles of the present invention may be utilized in various-ways, numerous modifications and alterations being contemplated, substitution of parts and changes in construction being resorted to as desired, it being understood that the embodiments shown in the drawings and described above are given merely for purposes of explanation and illustration without intending to limit the scope of the claims-to the specific details disclosed.

What I claim is:

1. 1n apparatus for handling bread loaves and the like, an upper conveyor, a lower conveyor having spaced nights for individually engaging and advancing loaves depositedthereon, a carrier and means mounting the same forreciprocation between the conveyors. the end of the carl rier nearest the upper conveyor being removable from a position to receive loaves from the upper conveyor downwardly to a position to deposit, the loaves intermittently on the lower conveyor between the flights of the latter, means for actuating the carrier and' the flights of the lower conveyor in unison, and means mounted independently of the carrier and movable in'timed relation to the carrier from a position below the loaf supporting surface of the upper conveyor to a position for engaging the endmost loaf on the upper conveyor to prevent said endmost loaf from moving off the end of the upper conveyor while the-carrier is"moving downwardly to deposit a loaf onthe lower conveyor.

2. In bread handling apparatus, a downwardly inclined upper conveyor, a downwardly :inclined lower conveyor having a top receiving end spaced from the bottom discharging end` of the upper conveyor, a carrier having a generally planar loaf receiving and supporting means, and means mounting the carrier for reciprocation between the conveyor'ends, said mountingA means being operative to shift the supporting means:v during reciprbcation of the carrier from `a position of4 general alignment with the upper conveyor to receive a loaf therefrom to a. position of general alignment with the lower conveyor to deliver a leaf to the latter, a stop member movable to an intercepting position across the discharging end of the upper conveyor to prevent loaves moving ofi' the latter while the carrier is at the receiving end of the lower conveyor, yield'able means for normally holding said stop member in an intercepting position, and means operated. by the Furthermore, the loaf intertion for shifting said stop member out' of later- 1 cepting position.

3. In bread handling apparatus, a downwardly inclined upper conveyor, a downwardly inclined lower vconveyor having spaced flights for advancing loaves and a top receiving end spaced from I the bottom discharging end of the upper conveyor, a carrier havingva generally planar loaf receiving and supportingmeans, and means mounting the carrier for reciprocation between the conveyor ends in timed relation tothe moves ment of said ights, said mounting means being operative to shift the supporting means during reciprocation of the carrier from a position of general alignment with the upper conveyor to receive a loaf therefrom to a position' of general alignment with the lower conveyor to deliver a loaf to the latter, and means movable from a position below the loaf supporting surface ofv the upper conveyor to a position across the discharging end of the upper conveyor upon downward movement of` the `carrier to prevent loavesy moving on theA latter while the carrier is at the receiving end oiithe lower conveyor.

'f 4. In bread loaf handling apparatus having spaced conveyors, a carrier and means mounting the same to turn'about a horizontal axis tercepting position and movement of the carrier from said one conveyor is accompanied by movement of the stop to intercepting position.

5. In bread loaf handling-apparatus; a downwardly inclined loading conveyor having a discharging'end, a downwardly inclined forwarding conveyor disposed beneath the loading coning conveyor, said loading conveyor having a discharge end adjacent the receiving end of the for- 'I warding conveyor, and being connected at its opposite end to an upper portion of the supporting structure and supported thereby in cantilever fashion, means for driving said conveyors. and means for intermittently transferring articles from the loading conveyor to the forwarding conveyor.

7. In a slicing machine, a supporting structure, movable cutters mounted in an inclined position on thestructure and means for actuating the same, a conveyor supported on the structure for forwarding articles to the cutters andhaving a receiving end spaced from the cutters, a loading conveyor above the cutters and said forwarding conveyor and so disposed that the normal direction of movement of articles on the loading conveyor is opposite to the normal direction of movement of articles on the forwarding conveyor, said loading conveyor having a discharge end adjacent the receiving end of the forwarding conveyor, and being connected at its opposite end to an upper portion of the supporting structure and supported thereby in cantilever fashion. means for driving said conveyors, and means for transferring articles from the loading conveyor to the forwarding conveyor, said connection including means adjustable for raising and lowering the loading conveyor to var'ythe distance between the discharge end thereof and tlwre-v ceiving end of the forwarding conveyor.

8. In apparatus of the character described, a'

' supporting structure, movable cutters mounted in veyor and having an upper receiving end spaced vertically beneath said discharging end, a carrier for transferringloaves intermittently froml the loadlngconveyor to the forwarding conveyor comprising a member mounted to turn about an axis vparalleling the loaf supporting planes of the conveyors, means carried by said member to turn therewith for receiving a loaf from .said discharging end and lowering a received loaf to the receiving end, stop means mounted independently of the carrier and movable 'about an axis parallel to the mst-mentioned axis and across said discharging endto engage and arrest the movement of loavesv on the loading conveyor, and

drive means including connections for synchronously actuating the carrier and the stop means vto withdraw the stop means from the discharging end of the loading conveyor while the loaf receiving means is in position to receive a'loaf therefrom.- v

,6. In a slicing machine, a supporting structure, movable c utters .mounted in an inclined Aposition on the structure and means foractuating the same, a conveyor supported on the structure for forwarding articles to the cutters and ham its delivery end spaced from the cutters, guides through which. the articles are advanced in contacting relation by the forwarding conveyor to the cutters a loading conveyor above the cutters and said forwarding conveyor and so .disposed inclined position on the structure and means for actuatingV the same, a conveyor including frame means supported on alower portion of the structure for forwarding articlesto thev cutters land having a receiving end remote from the cutters, a loading conveyor connected at one end only to an upper portion of the structure :and vsupported vthereby as a cantilever above the cutters and said forwarding conveyor, said loading conveyor being so disposed above the forwarding conveyor that the normal direction of movement of articles on the loading conveyor is generally opposite fto the normal direction of movement of articles on the forwarding conveyor, and having a dis-r charge end adjacent the receiving end of the forwarding conveyor, means for driving said conveyors, a carrier pivoted on the frame means for reciprocation between the discharging and receivin g ends of the conveyors, a stop member mounted on the frame means independently of the carrier for movement across said discharge end to vengage the endmost yarticle on the forwarding conveyor to prevent'such article from moving over the discharge end while the carrier is at thereceiving end of the forwarding conveyor. and

means for actuating said carrier and stop mem\ ber.

9.' In apparatus of the character described, a

supporting structure,'movable cutters mounted in .incline d position on the structure 'and means for that the normal direction of movement of articles on the'loading conveyor is opposite to the normal `direction of movement of articles on the forwardactuating the same, a conveyor including frame means supported on a lower portionv of the structurefor forwarding articles to the cutters and having a receiving end remote from the cutters.

.' a loading conveyor connected at one end only to an upper `portion of the structure and supported thereby as a cantilever above said cutters and said forwarding conveyor, said loading conveyor being sol disposed above thei forwarding conveyor that the normal direction of movement of articles on the loading conveyor is downwardly atleast impart gravitational and generally opposite to the normal direction of movement of articles on the forwarding conveyor, the other end of saidv loading conveyor 'constituting a discharge adjacent the receiving end of the forwarding conveyor but spaced above the same, a carrier pivoted on the frame means for reciprocation between said discharge and the receiving ends of,

the conveyors, and means for adjusting the connection of the loading conveyor to the structure for raising and lowering the discharge end only thereof to thereby alter the downward inclination of the loading conveyor and the space between the discharge and receiving ends of the conveyors, i

10. In bread ioaf handling apparatus having spaced conveyors, ia carrier and means mounting the same to turn about a horizontal axis i'or movement between the conveyors, a stop and means mounting the same for movement to and from loaf intercepting position at an end of oney of moving said stop member relative to the carrier and to and from its intercepting position.

theconveyors, resilient means normally holding the stop in intercepting position, and means operative upon movement of the carrier to said one conveyor to move the stop from said intercepting position whereby a loaf at said conveyor end is released for movement onto the carrier.

1l. In bread loaf handling apparatus, carrier means for transferring loaves from one conveyor to another, said carrier comprising a member mounted to turn about a substantially horizontal axis, loaf supporting means secured to said member to' turn therewith, a continuously rotating crank, a rod connectingthe crank and said member, said rod including resilient means providing limited longitudinal expansion and contraction thereof, end means limiting the turning movement of said member to expand and contract the rod and provide for lost motion travel of the crank whereby the loaf supporting means of the carrier dwells at the limit of movement of the member.

12. In bread loaf handling apparatus, an endless belt loading conveyor and an electric drive motor therefor, a forwarding conveyor, a carrier and means mounting the same for reciprocation between the conveyors to receive loaves from the discharge end of the loading conveyor and to deliver the received loaves to the forwarding conveyor, constantly rotating means having connection with the carrier to move the latter through one cycle for each revolution of such means, electric switch means governing the energization of said motor, andmeans operatively associated with said constantly rotating means to actuate said switch means for interrupting said energiz'ation during each revolution of the rotating means.

14. In apparatus for handling bread loaves and the like, an upper conveyor, a lower conveyor having spaced nights for individually engaging and advancing loaves deposited thereon, a carrier mounted for movement from a position for receiving a loaf from the discharge end of the upper conveyor downwardly to a position for discharging a loaf upon the lower conveyor and back to loaf receiving position, means for driving the lower conveyor, means for actuating said carrier in timed relation to the movement of the lower conveyor to transfer loaves intermittently from the upper conveyor to the spaces between the vflights of the lower conveyor, a stop member movable to and from `an intercepting position vin the path of a loaf at the discharge end of the upper conveyor, a spring for actuating said stop member one direction, and means operated by the carrier lduring its movement in one direction for moving said stop member in opposition to said spring.

15. Ina slicing, machine, a supporting structure, a series of elongated endwise movable cutters mounted side by side in an inclined position in said structure, means for actuating the cutters, a downwardly inclinedarticle runway for f delivering articles to the cutters, an endless conveyor having flights which travel toward the cutters in a portion of the runway spaced from the cutters, a loading conveyor overlying the cutters having its discharge end above the night conveyor, means for continuously driving said iiight 13. In apparatus for handling bread loaves andV the like, an upper conveyor, a -lower conveyor end in an opposite direction upon the lower conveyor and then movable back to loaf receiving position, means for driving the lower conveyor, means for actuating said carrier in timed relation to the movement of the lower conveyor to transfer loaves intermittently from the upper conveyor to the spaces between the-flights of the lower conveyor, a stop member movable to conveyor, means for intermittently driving said 4loading conveyor, and a vertically movable carrier for transferring articles from said loading conveyor to the flight conveyor, and a mechanism geared to said flight conveyor and having means for reciprocating said carrier in timed relation to the movement of the flight conveyor to deposit the articles between the flights of said night conveyor. v l

16. A bread slicing machine comprising a supporting structure having an upwardly inclined top portion, a drum journaled in said inclined portion of the structure adjacent the upper end thereof, a second drum parallel to the first journaled drum near the opposite end of the supporting structure adiacent the bottom thereof, a series of endless cutter bands running over said drums and crossing midway between the drums,

means for driving thedrums, a supplementalframe mounted on said inclined portion of the structure below the central portion thereof, said supplemental frame having an inclination opposite that of the top portion of the supporting structure, a loading conveyor overlying the top of the supportingstructure, said loading conveyor being supported at its receiving end upon the inclined top portion of the supporting structure adjacent its upper end and having its discharge end spaced from said supplemental frame suihciently to permit discharge of loaves from the loading conveyor, means for forwarding loaves of bread to the cutter bands including a ilight conr veyor on said supplemental frame, and means for intermittently transferring loaves of bread from said` loading conveyor to the spaces between the Iiights of said igh't conveyor.

17. A bread slicing machine comprising a sup- 12 I daaraan porting structure having an upwardly inclined top portion, a drum journaled in said inclined portion of the structure adjacent the upper end thereof, a' second drum parallel to the rst jour- -naled drum near the opposite end o1 the supporting structure adjacent the bottom thereof, a series of endless cutter' bands running over said drums and crossing midway between the drums, means for driving the drums, a supplemental frame mountedy on said inclined portion of the structure below the central portion thereof, said supplemental frame having aninclination opposite that of the top portion of the supporting structure, downwardly inclined -guides through which loaves may be continuously fed to the l5 crossing portionsot said cutter blades, means for vitorwf'u'ding loaves through the guides to the cut 10 mental frame, and ,means for intermittently transferring loaves one at a time from the loading conveyor to the spaces between the iligllts of -the iorwardingconveyor'.

ARTHUR A. Ko'nMANN. 

